Mayor Joli McCathran called the meeting of the Town Council to order at 7:41 p.m. because they were waiting for a quorum. In attendance were Council Members Georgette Cole, Pat Klein (via telephone) Audrey Maskery, John McClelland and Shelley Winkler. Also present were Treasurer Mary Challstrom, Maintenance Supervisor Steve Werts, Woods Group Co-Chair Joan Mahaffey, Summer In The Parks Volunteers Emily Brown, Jenn Hix and Ali Faupel, resident Charlie Challstrom.

Mayor McCathran added the following to the agenda:
4A – Treasurer’s Report
8A – Action on Ordinance 2016-07
Public Appearances – Summer In The Parks discussion

Oath of Office for New Councilors:

Mayor McCathran gave the oath of office to Shelley Winkler.

Public Appearances:

Mayor McCathran began the Summer In The Parks (SITP) discussion expressing her concern about the number of non-resident children attending the camp. Emily Brown explained the camp is not sufficiently full without non-Town residents and all campers require a Town sponsor. There was a discussion about the following:

definition of resident

sibling discounts

agreement on $150.00 per child (flat fee) coming from the March budget work session

cost of the program

the current decline in numbers of resident children attending the camp

whether a higher fee should be charged for non-resident children; reinstituting the non-resident fee requirement

possible use of donations from Town residents to help cover campers costs

follow-up discussion about the money after the program is over and ensuring new directors and those involved are aware of fee schedules used in the past

the importance of the program

Shelley Winkler thanked Ali and Emily for volunteering to run the program. She said she remembered the meeting where the fee was discussed; she suggested asking for donations to cover the extra fees. Joan Mahaffey also expressed support for the parent volunteers and reiterated the need for all involved in understanding camper fee schedules. Ali indicated she, Emily, Jenn and Joey Fones would be seeing to the successful running of the camp this year, but were no longer willing to coordinate SITP in subsequent seasons.

Approval of Agenda:

Mayor McCathran asked for a general consensus approval of the agenda as amended earlier in the meeting.

Approval of Minutes:

Georgette Cole moved to approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting on April 11, 2016. Audrey Maskery seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0.

Treasurer’s Report:

John McClelland moved to transfer $10,000 from saving to checking to pay bills. Georgette Cole seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0.

Closed Meeting Statement:

The April 11, 2016 meeting of the Town Council in the Council Room in McCathran Hall went to a closed session at 9:55 PM. The meeting was closed under General Provisions Article 3-305(b), (1) to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction or any other personnel matter that affects one (1) or more specific individuals. Georgette Cole, Alison Faupel, Audrey Maskery, John McClelland, Bud O’Connor and Greg Silber voted to close the meeting.

Surveying Western Boundary of West Woods – Revisit:

Mayor McCathran gave a brief review of the concerns with responses to this request for proposals stating that neither of the two (2) of the three (3) companies submitting bids did not include the markers. Because the Council had concerns and not feel confident about Survey Associates (problems with references and contact information, concerns about time frames for completing the work), the Council decided to retain the motion from the Council’s April 11, 2016 meeting and accept the bid from, and enter into a contract with, Snider & Associates.

Approval Ordinance 2016-04: Adopting Town Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2016 Through June 30, 2017, and Levying an Ad Valorem Tax on all Assessable Property Within the Town of Washington Grove, Maryland:

Audrey Maskery moved to discuss of Resolution 2016-08. Georgette Cole seconded the motion. Treasurer Mary Challstrom explained the plan. Mayor McCathran asked for a vote to approve and implement the Resolution. Vote: 4-0.

Mayor’s Announcements:

Mayor McCathran welcomed new Council members Pat Klein (via telephone) and Shelley Winkler. She gave a brief explanation of the importance of following the Maryland Open Meetings Laws to all. She also explained the Town Listserve is not an official form of communication and reminded members if they wanted to post information they should not do this as a member of the Town Council but as a private resident.

Mayor McCathran announced she would be joining the Maryland Mayor’s Association again this year.

Mayor McCathran thanked Mary and Charlie Challstrom for their work on the Maryland Municipal League’s Montgomery County Chapter dinner hosted at McCathran Hall. She said it was a wonderful event and we have offered to host it here again next year.

Mayor McCathran announced Roberts Oxygen will be installing a new eight (8) foot cedar fence along three (3) property lines.

New Business:

Mayor McCathran appointed Peter Nagrod for another five (5) year term on the Planning Commission and Nick Suzich to serve a three (3) year term on the Town Board of Supervisors of Elections. The Council confirmed the appointments by a vote of 4-0.

Mayor McCathran advised the Council Betty Knight has resigned from her position on the Board of Supervisors of Elections. Shelley Winkler, on behalf of the Mayor and Council, thanked Betty Knight, for her 30+ years of service on the Board. All agreed that her service was a huge contribution to the Town and were grateful for her years of service.

Mary Challstrom provided information about an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Coordinator explaining this person would designate and coordinate AED training. This item should fall under the responsibility of the Safety Committee and its Council liaison.

Mary Challstrom reported McCathran Hall’s 20 year old sprinkler system has recently had valves and a compressor replaced. The replacement of the sprinkler heads will be completed this fiscal year. Maintenance Supervisor Steve Werts is monitoring this work.

Shelley Winkler brought up the recent accident at Aitchison’s Crossing railroad crossing this week. Shelley will relay her safety concerns to the Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Audrey Maskery reported Asplundh will be working on Washington Grove Lane this week as part of PEPCO’s (Potomac Electric Power Company) tree pruning efforts.

There being no further new business, the meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.